LaMadeleines Cafe Coming to Oklahoma City

[RadicalModerate]

Yeah . . . making those connecting flights at DFW can be a bitch . . . =)
So . . . Let's imagine (and when i say Let Us i mean okc "foodies", in conjuction with potential corporate restaurant providers) . . . that someone wanted to pile some money into a new provider location with an expectation of a return . . .

What better location than right next to the recently relocated Stage Center (for the adults) adjacent to the perpetually unfinished NativeAmerind Cultural Center (providing bicycle dirt track ops to the kids) (rather than giving it to The South Side to Fix I-235)?

Based upon imaginary restaurant openings in the Metro . . . I think that La Madelene would be a preferred option not only to Mimi's but could possibly even trump Nicolette's! (file that in The Appendix to the Hitchiker's Guide to The Galaxy =)

(Google! It's everywhere! Happy B-Day, Doug! =)

edited to add . . . from "Le M. Menu" . . .
this sounds good to me:
Creamy spinach and Swiss filling in a puff pastry

this sounds even better:
Chicken Friand
Puff pastry filled with chicken, mushrooms and béchamel sauce, topped with mushroom sauce

Still, I would be willing to bet that Panera's Clam Chowder with half a Cali Pannini on the side would kick their ass. =)

[SoonerDave]

Well, while I know it would offend the tender sensibilities of those who don't believe breathable air exists south of Reno, I still contend Chatenay on SW 104th and Penn is a perfect location for LaM's. And I base that on the kinds of locations where I've visited them previously and recently. Great addition to OKC.

[flintysooner]

Well, while I know it would offend the tender sensibilities of those who don't believe breathable air exists south of Reno, I still contend Chatenay on SW 104th and Penn is a perfect location for LaM's. And I base that on the kinds of locations where I've visited them previously and recently. Great addition to OKC.

Would a store go in where a Panera already exists?

[SoonerDave]

Would a store go in where a Panera already exists?

It wouldn't surprise me. Might be a tad unorthodox, but I bet if you laid out a map of current LaM's there'd be a Panera lurking nearby. I think there's plenty of appetite to support both places, frankly. There's a lower quality opportunity a mile east in Palagio, but I'm not sure that place isn't at or near 100% occupied now, and the Westbrook (Westgate? Blast, brain cramp, can't remember....the place where Bowling Green used to be at SW 104th and Western) plaza has shifted toward more business than retail.

Heck, I always thought a great restaurant opportunity was lost when the outparcel at 104th and Penn in front of Chatenay turned into IBC Bank a few years ago. Very nice building, and its certainly in keeping with Chatenay and the residential area to its east, but I thought surely someone would see a restaurant opportunity there.

I say all this fully realizing the probability is that LaM's will get plunked down somewhere north, but someone here has to advocate my neck of the woods!

[Soonerinfiniti]

Sorry if I missed it, but was there a link with actual information on a La Madeleine location in Oklahoma City? Or is this continued speculation?

[Mr. Cotter]

Sorry if I missed it, but was there a link with actual information on a La Madeleine location in Oklahoma City? Or is this continued speculation?

Link in the orignal post contained the following:

• La Madeleine, a Dallas-based, French-style cafe, is coming to Oklahoma City. Founded in 1983 by Patrick Esquerre, the franchise is now owned by Le Duff America. An Oklahoma City franchise is planned within the next 12 months.

The restaurant specializes in French country-style food served in a fast-casual setting for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Expect fresh house-made breads, pastries and soups. The menu also offers salads, sandwiches, crepes, quiches and stuffed puff pastries. You will also find a bistro-style chicken, pastas and paella. Breakfast is a mix of hearty items and European specialties.

Everything else about the location has been speculation.

[Rover]

i have to believe anyone who uses the term "ludicrous" in a cogent context is one to be believed. so the jury is still out on La Madeleine, pending an opening in OKC. (that would be a vote "For" btw: attn. corp hq).

so . . . suppose there were (was) a La Madeleine right next to a Mimi's . . . which one would you pick and why?
(marie calledar is disqualified from the question)

Okay, may as well compare McDonalds to The Mantle....they both serve beef. Since you don't like the term ludicrous, how about silly? Is that part of a cogent argument?

[RadicalModerate]

I guess you missed the fact that I liked your use of the word ludicrous. As for comparing Le Mad's to Mimi's or either one of them to McDonalds or The Mantle . . . well . . . that's a different matter. (ps I only ate at Mimi's once. It wasn't bad, just average. to put it in perspective, I thought the food at the former "Good Eats Cafe" where "The Ranch" is now, was above average and a very good value. Much like Le Mad's might be. I just wish the managment would get off their Le Duff and tell us where it is going to be.)

[Urbanized]

I've eaten at the one in Dallas. Despite my manliness (or maybe because of it) I ordered quiche. It was perfectly acceptable. Count me in the "meh" column.

[RadicalModerate]

I've eaten at the one in Dallas. Despite my manliness (or maybe because of it) I ordered quiche. It was perfectly acceptable. Count me in the "meh" column.

After eating the quiche were you overcome with an irresistable urge to ask for directions?

[Rover]

I guess you missed the fact that I liked your use of the word ludicrous. As for comparing Le Mad's to Mimi's or either one of them to McDonalds or The Mantle . . . well . . . that's a different matter. (ps I only ate at Mimi's once. It wasn't bad, just average. to put it in perspective, I thought the food at the former "Good Eats Cafe" where "The Ranch" is now, was above average and a very good value. Much like Le Mad's might be. I just wish the managment would get off their Le Duff and tell us where it is going to be.)

OOPS. I misread it. Thought it originally said NOT to be believed. LOL Guess I got too defensive too early.

[Teo9969]

I went this last week to the one in Dallas Arts District.

While it wasn't out of this world, it was cheap enough, and still pretty tasty.

I also dropped the Quiche I received before I paid for it...sheepishly went to the back of the line, got another quiche with the one I dropped on my tray and the manager came over for me and insisted that I not pay for the dropped one.

So I bought some cookies and a drink out of guilt.

[SoonerDave]

Haven't really heard any more about this since this discussion started back in March...any word/update?

[progressiveboy]

Haven't really heard any more about this since this discussion started back in March...any word/update?

Update. I stopped at LaMadeleines on Hwy 121 & Parkwood in Frisco for my monthly fix and chatted with the manager that was on duty. She stated that OKC is still " a go" however, the location that they initally choose did not work out. She is going to get back with me in a couple of days to find out a tentative date. She also stated they get lots of Okies coming and eating there since it is so close to Stonebriare Mall and the OK border.

[SoonerDave]

Update. I stopped at LaMadeleines on Hwy 121 & Parkwood in Frisco for my monthly fix and chatted with the manager that was on duty. She stated that OKC is still " a go" however, the location that they initally choose did not work out. She is going to get back with me in a couple of days to find out a tentative date. She also stated they get lots of Okies coming and eating there since it is so close to Stonebriare Mall and the OK border.

Do you happen to know what location had they originally picked? And where are they going now?

Great info, too bad they appear to be delayed a bit. Thought perhaps that might be the case based on how long it had been since the original info was posted...

[progressiveboy]

Do you happen to know what location had they originally picked? And where are they going now?

Great info, too bad they appear to be delayed a bit. Thought perhaps that might be the case based on how long it had been since the original info was posted...

Talk about a strange turn of events. Went into LM this morning to get coffee and talked with another Manager on duty and discussed about opening of a OKC store. He had a perplexed look on his face and asked me "Who told you this?" I stated the manager that was on duty on Friday relayed this information to me, plus it was published information in the OKC newspaper. He stated that OKC location has been shelved because the Tulsa location is way "underperforming" and not doing well? He further stated that they are expanding at a very slow pace. Thought this was odd since there was such a disparity between the two managers giving two different statements? Go figure? Maybe OKC will get a "Corner Bakery" concept. They are good.

[SoonerDave]

Talk about a strange turn of events. Went into LM this morning to get coffee and talked with another Manager on duty and discussed about opening of a OKC store. He had a perplexed look on his face and asked me "Who told you this?" I stated the manager that was on duty on Friday relayed this information to me, plus it was published information in the OKC newspaper. He stated that OKC location has been shelved because the Tulsa location is way "underperforming" and not doing well? He further stated that they are expanding at a very slow pace. Thought this was odd since there was such a disparity between the two managers giving two different statements? Go figure? Maybe OKC will get a "Corner Bakery" concept. They are good.

Oh, man, this is a major bummer. Wife and mom will not like to hear this. At all.

Here's hoping the managers just don't all have the right/same information.

[adaniel]

That's what happens when you buy into the Tulsa hype.

Stinks, because I know if it were here it would be a smashing success.

[bchris02]

That's what happens when you buy into the Tulsa hype.

Stinks, because I know if it were here it would be a smashing success.

Yet 90% of national retailers still insist that Tulsa is a more favorable market than OKC. They probably still assume that and since Tulsa is underperforming OKC will do even worse. Unfortunately, a lot of the retail OKC does get depends greatly on how well it does in Tulsa first.

[MikeLucky]

Talk about a strange turn of events. Went into LM this morning to get coffee and talked with another Manager on duty and discussed about opening of a OKC store. He had a perplexed look on his face and asked me "Who told you this?" I stated the manager that was on duty on Friday relayed this information to me, plus it was published information in the OKC newspaper. He stated that OKC location has been shelved because the Tulsa location is way "underperforming" and not doing well? He further stated that they are expanding at a very slow pace. Thought this was odd since there was such a disparity between the two managers giving two different statements? Go figure? Maybe OKC will get a "Corner Bakery" concept. They are good.

Ask and you shall receive....

Turning some new Corners: Cafes coming to Oklahoma | The Journal Record

TULSA – CBC Oklahoma LLC intends to establish seven or more Corner Bakery Cafe
locations in the Sooner State over the next three to five years. That’s part of a 60-plus-unit expansion in California, Florida and Massachusetts announced Thursday by
Dallas-based CBC Restaurant Corp., an arm of the Atlanta private equity firm Roark

Capital Group. Its Oklahoma starting point depends on where the new

franchise owner closes its first land deal, said President and Managing Partner Kavit Patel. “We’re actually in negotiations with several different sites,” he said Thursday. “We have three ongoing.”

Patel said metropolitan Oklahoma City could support three to four locations, with two to three more in Tulsa and one in Lawton. As the chain uses both corner-cap in-line positions and stand-alone buildings, Patel said a typical



Corner Bakery may range from 3,200 to 4,200 square feet, employing a staff of 35 to 55 workers. “We’re looking at about $1.2 million per store,” he said of the initial cost, with projected firstyear

revenue coming in at about $1.8 million to $2 million, depending on the market.

CBC Oklahoma hopes to get its first store running in the first quarter, although it could come sooner. “It only takes about three to five months to build it, so even if we got a spot within the next four weeks, we could probably have one ready by the end of the year,” Patel said. “But we probably don’t want to rush it.”




Thursday’s announcements bring Corner Bakery to almost 300 cafe commitments nationwide, said Vice President of Franchise Sales Gregg Koffler, advancing the company’s goal to double its U.S. footprint within four years. The 22-year-old chain operates 152 stores in 14 states and Washington, D.C. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, its health-oriented menu of more than 100 items ranges from breakfast scramblers and paninis to sandwiches, soups, salads, pastas and desserts.That supports a $9.80 average ticket, said Patel, with breakfast about $7 and lunch $9. “They cater to a younger population that’s going after healthy food, looking for options, not

looking for fast food,” he said. “Two-thirds of their demographic are women.”
With consumers’ increasing focus on healthy foods, Tulsa retail broker



Mark Rooney expects Corner Bakery to do well in Oklahoma.


“Their food is very good,” said Rooney, who is helping Patel shop Oklahoma’s real estate

markets with fellow CB Richard Ellis of Oklahoma broker Mark Inman. “The ones I’ve been to had good service. They are clean. The aesthetics of the restaurant are very nice.”
Dallas-based CBC Oklahoma enters this sector with more than three decades of experience in the Sooner State’s hospitality market. Through different entities, the family owns more than 30 hotels nationwide, including eight in Oklahoma, with two under construction in Oklahoma City. The family also owns a chain of Subway locations in Texas. “We’ve been looking for something unique, something new, to bring to the state of Oklahoma for a while,” Patel said. He said the family appreciated most everything about Corner Bakery, from its menu and presentation to its innovations and catering programs. “That whole atmosphere really appealed to us in particular,” he said. “That’s kind of what I wanted it for.”

[roci28]

Anyone heard anything about a possible rebirth for La Madeleine's here in OKC with the retail/restaurant boom we are having?

[Pete]

No, but this would be a great fit for the restaurant space at Aloft.

[bchris02]

I think I remember hearing that an OKC location was scrapped because the Tulsa location underperformed. We are getting a Corner Bakery though.

[Spartan]

The Norman location closed down?

[Rover]

The Norman location closed down?

Where was a La Madeleine in Norman?